Solemnity of Christ the King: Keys from Pope Francis for young people to face challenges with courage

This Sunday, on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe, Pope Francis offered three keys for young people to face the challenges and difficulties of life with hope and courage.

The meeting included the annual diocesan celebration of World Youth Day and included the presentation of the pilgrims’ symbols (the WYD Cross, and the icon of Mary, known as Salvation of the Roman People) from the Portuguese youth to their Korean counterparts, who will host WYD in Seoul in 2027.

In his homilythe Holy Father invited new generations to take into account three key aspects: overcome accusations, not seek empty consensus and always remain in the truth.

1. Do not be afraid of the accusations or condemnations of the world

Pope Francis began his reflection by evoking the trial of Jesus before Pilate, “who interrogates him as a representative of the Roman Empire.” Christ, the Holy Father explained, faced the accusations with firmness and serenity, remaining faithful to the truth “that he has announced, up to the sacrifice of his own life.”

Addressing young people directly, Francis pointed out that “perhaps sometimes it can happen to you too that you are put ‘under accusation’ for following Jesus.” In environments such as school or work, there may be those who try to discourage them or “make them feel like failures because they remain faithful to the Gospel and their values.” Faced with these situations, the Pope encouraged: “Do not be afraid of the ‘condemnations’ of the world. Keep loving!”

The Holy Father assured that, although false criticism and accusations can be painful, over time “they fall, and the superficial values ​​that sustain them are revealed for what they are: illusions.” What really remains, he insisted, “are the works of love. This is what remains and what beautifies life.”

2. Free yourself from the desire for consensus

Pope Francis highlighted how Jesus stated: “My royalty is not of this world” (Jn 18:36), making it clear that his mission did not seek political support or superficial recognition. “Jesus rejects all logic of power. “He is free from all this!” stressed the Pontiff, and invited young people to follow his example and not succumb to the “desire – so widespread today – to obtain recognition, approval and praise.”

The Pope was forceful in pointing out the risks of seeking empty consensus: “Whoever allows himself to be carried away by these fixations ends up living in anguish.” Instead, he encouraged them not to settle for being “stars for a day,” whether on social media or in any public sphere.

“The heaven in which you are called to shine is greater: it is the heaven of God, where the infinite love of the Father is reflected in our innumerable and small lights: in the faithful affection of spouses, in the innocent joy of children. “, in the enthusiasm of the young, in the care of the elderly, in the generosity of the consecrated, in the charity towards the poor, in the honesty of work,” he explained.

Francis also warned about false promises: “Do not be fooled by those who, by cajoling you with vain promises, actually want to manipulate you.” For the Holy Father, what saves and gives meaning to life is not consensus, but “the gratuitousness of love.”

3. Bear witness to the truth

The Pope closed his message with a clear invitation: witness to the truth in love. “Christ came into the world ‘to bear witness to the truth’ (Jn 18:37), and he did so by teaching us to love God and our brothers,” he recalled. According to Francisco, love “is where our existence finds light and meaning.”

Taking the words of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, he recalled that “you no longer live, but you ‘fall away’” when you do not have a mission of truth and love in life. Instead, Christian witness, rooted in the sacrifice of Christ, teaches us that “only in love can we also live, grow and flourish in our full dignity.”

The Pope assured that, although the world may seem overwhelmed by evil, “it is not true that the events of the world have ‘gone out of control’ of God.” Christ, King of the Universe, accompanies us and “correcting us when we fall, he never stops loving us and, if we allow him, he never stops lifting us up.”

A message of hope

The Pope concluded by recalling the motto of this World Youth Day: “Those who wait for the Lord walk without tiring” (cf. Is 40:31), and invited young people to keep their gaze fixed on Jesus and the Virgin. Maria. “Even in difficulties, we will find the strength to move forward, without fear of accusations, without the need for consensus, happy to be witnesses of the truth, in love.”